The next morning, the piano-playing duo is on their way to a fancy restaurant in Paris, when the young lovers are interrupted by the arrival of an old maid. The maid, who is dressed in black, tells the trio that she will be taking them to the old woman's house. The young lovers, however, are not interested in the maid's report of her illness. They are eager to hear the piano duo's performance. The piano player, who has been studying with rui in Paris for the past few years, asks the maid to let him hear the results of his practice. The old maid, in turn, asks him to play a Beethoven piano sonata for her. He refuses, saying that he has not heard him play since they were in Japan. She asks him if he will let her hear his performance, and he replies that he will not play any Beethoven sonatas when he takes it seriously. She tells him that she is in his service, and that he can grant her peace and illuminate her for the truth of everything. He asks her to stop, and then he will die. She replies that she shall make a contract with the piano player who serves hell, and she will say this and then she shall die. He wonders why he is suddenly cheerful again, and wonders if quitting smoking was the cause of his slump. He wants to see the girl in her "hour of triumph," while he can still hear her piano playing.